More police presence planned after shootings

Bob Gardinie, Times Union

By Bob Gardinier

Updated 10:03 pm, Thursday, May 1, 2014

Troy Mayor Lou Rosamilia addresses those gathered for a press conference in the 100-block of 4th Street on Thursday, May 1, 2014, in Troy, N.Y. The press conference was held in the area where a recent shooting took place. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union)

Troy Police Chief John Tedesco announces new police plans during a press conference in the 100-block of 4th Street on Thursday, May 1, 2014, in Troy, N.Y. The press conference was held in the area where a recent shooting took place. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union)

Troy Mayor Lou Rosamilia addresses those gathered for a press conference in the 100-block of 4th Street on Thursday, May 1, 2014, in Troy, N.Y. The press conference was held in the area where a recent shooting took place. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union)

Troy Police Chief John Tedesco announces new police plans during a press conference in the 100-block of 4th Street on Thursday, May 1, 2014, in Troy, N.Y. The press conference was held in the area where a recent shooting took place. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union)

A large band of police officers will be stationed on Saturday night on Fourth Street near Congress Street, looking for troublemakers in the wake of a shooting that left five people injured.

"We are committed to put an end to this behavior on our streets," Mayor Lou Rosamilia said, standing near a pizza shop where the shots were fired into a crowd around 12:30 a.m. Sunday. Two men and three women suffered non-life-threatening injuries to the lower parts of their bodies in the shootings.

Several restaurants and bars on the south end of the block attract college students and others.

No arrests have been made in the case, which is gang-related, Police Chief John Tedesco said.

"We have suspects and the State Police are helping us go through a large amount of security video we have of the incident," Tedesco said.

Police have said at least one or possibly two of the injured individuals were the gunmen's intended targets.

"This is not drug-related, this is simply one group feeling they were disrespected by another," Tedesco said.

Authorities said there will be noticeable police presence in the neighborhood this weekend.

"If you come here and engage in violent behavior, you will not get away," Tedesco said. "Besides officers in the street, there will be more traffic interdiction and other things we won't be talking about."

The recent spate of street shootings in Troy and Albany are connected to opposing gangs or groups.

Some of the gangs, such as Troy's Young Gunnerz, are becoming more tightly organized, police said.

Shooting victims have been uncooperative with police, leading to speculation they plan to handle the matter on their own.

Police said the violence was being fueled by social media postings, including Facebook.

The increased police presence in the neighborhood is being supported by a $300,000 state grant. Assistant Chief George VanBramer will oversee the initiative.